Portuguese people who stand out abroad are helping to find out where business opportunities are and what kind of companies and activities the country can attract. An initiative that brings together Negócios and the Portuguese Diaspora Council.

1- What led you to leave Portugal?

When I decided to complete a degree in International Relations (University of Minho), it was with the clear intention and determination of being able to have a truly international career. Leaving Portugal was by choice and vocation and not by necessity. The truth is that the opportunity to start an international career came sooner than I expected. Since my first job, I have taken on management and leadership roles in the areas of energy, environment, climate change and other topics related to sustainability, integrating multiple international networks and projects, which immediately gave me some professional visibility in these areas. During these years, first at the NGO Euronatura and then at Consultora Ecoprogresso, I had a “golden” opportunity to work side by side and learn from some of the pioneers and most renowned experts in climate change area in Portugal. This was followed by the invitation to join a taskforceto support international climate negotiations during the Portuguese presidency of the European Council in 2007. This work was the launching pad for the international career that followed and at the end of the presidency, after COP13. It was February 2008, before the peak of the international financial crisis. At that time, I had only four years of professional experience after completing my Master’s degree in Chinese Studies – Business and International Relations (University of Aveiro), when an invitation arrived to go to Beijing, China, to lead projects related to climate change.

2- What advantages or disadvantages does being Portuguese bring you?

I never felt any disadvantage due to being Portuguese in China. In fact, the perception of China and the Chinese towards Portugal is quite favorable and improved in the pre-Covid years, when the Chinese began to tour Portugal more regularly and get to know our country, our culture and gastronomy better. and society. In China, I am more often treated as a European citizen than as a Portuguese citizen, and there is a strong sense of European identity here that is less evident when we are in Europe. The fact that our country is small when compared to the Chinese scale and the fact that there are not many Portuguese residents in Beijing for such a long period has been an advantage that has allowed me to consolidate professional and personal relationships in the country. I was already here when the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Portugal and China was celebrated. This year, we celebrate 45 years, I’m still here. This legacy and experience have been useful in my institutional relations and collaboration with the Embassy in Beijing and AICEP, the EU Chamber of Commerce or as an Advisor on climate change for countries such as Norway or the United Kingdom.

3- What obstacles did you have to overcome and how did you do it?

There were never any major obstacles and integration into the country was easy and gradual. I would say that some of the challenges were related, initially, to learning the Chinese language. Despite only having one level of Chinese language that I call “survival Chinese”, this has never stopped me from performing my professional duties with quality and at the highest level. The way to overcome this challenge was to use professional interpreters and translators who have worked with me for many years and in whom I place great trust. Speaking of trust, I think this is one of the critical success factors for working in China. Trust takes time to build, but once consolidated it is the basis for everything else.

4- What do you admire most about the country where you are?

In China, I admire the ability to execute quickly and the pragmatism, the ability to test, fail, sometimes also quickly, and start again if necessary. Even in the development of public policies, they often use pilot phases to test measures before large-scale implementation. One aspect that makes life in China much easier has to do with payments and other features and operations that we can access through the “omnipresence” of Appssuch as WeChat or Alipay. Without a doubt, they are having a positive impact and generally improving our daily lives.

5- What do you most admire about the company or organization where you work?

At my company, ICF, I admire the opportunity to work in areas that are related to some of humanity’s biggest and most complex current challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity and the energy and fair transition. In my daily work, I can be on the front line and make my small contribution and have an impact. China’s progress in these matters will have an impact on the rest of the world’s ability to achieve the goals of the Paris agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. Development Goals of the UN.

6- What recommendations would you give to Portugal and its entrepreneurs and managers?

Entrepreneurs and managers in Portugal must truly know China – its past, present and future – and not just read the Headlines in Foreign or Chinese social media and social networks to support your decision-making. Reality check is very importantto be able to assess the true risks and opportunities of this market. The current geopolitical context is extremely complex and is not as favorable as it was 5-10 years ago. However, the Chinese domestic market continues to be very interesting for investing and selling, as well as for developing global strategic partnerships with Chinese entities to operate in Portugal, the EU and third countries.

7- In which sectors of the country where you live could Portuguese companies find customers?

There will be multiple ones, but I prefer to focus on those that are close to my area of activity. Sectors related to decarbonization and energy transition, where we have know-how and advanced knowledge in Portugal, and often excellent ideas and products that can scale, considering China as a scale up platform, taking into account the success of Portuguese companies in global markets. There is a good alignment of the energy transition and carbon neutrality goals of Portugal and China. These opportunities can begin with the intensification of interaction between universities, think-tanks and companies in Portugal and China, to better utilize and apply the knowledge generated in them. They are the basis for successful relationships, based on the knowledge economy, with decarbonization and digitalization as levers. China currently leads or has a dominant position in technologies such as solar, wind, electric vehicles, batteries, and high-speed trains. It is important to analyze, in addition to the public support that these sectors effectively received in the nascent stages of the business, to learn from past mistakes, and identify whether these and other technologies can contribute positively not only to the decarbonization of China, but to the global decarbonization faster and more cost-efficient.

8- In which sectors in Portugal could companies from the country where you live want to invest?

In the same sectors mentioned above. These are areas of reciprocal opportunities and Portugal can also benefit from Chinese know-how and financing/direct investment for industrialization, innovation and job creation and skills centers of international relevance, contributing to the modernization and diversification of the economy.

9- What is the competitive advantage of the country you live in that could be replicated in Portugal?

The EU is implementing a de-risking policy, but this strategy should, as much as possible, be “agnostic” towards countries, including China. Portugal has managed to achieve some goals in terms of decarbonization and energy transition that can be shared and replicated in China. The fact that China Three Gorges, China State Grid and other Chinese companies have made strategic investments in Portugal is a demonstration of the recognition of the technical capacity they found in the country and also of Portugal as a platform for entry into Europe.

10- Are you thinking of returning to Portugal? Why?

I’m thinking about returning to Portugal, but that doesn’t mean abandoning an international career. Portugal, in recent years, has become an attractive and welcoming country for foreign talent. I believe that it can also be equally attractive for me as a basis for my international career and, in this way, I can contribute with my international experience to the development and increase of competitiveness of our country.